NFL Playoff Picks: Green Bay Packers' Prolific Offense Will Demolish New York

The Green Bay Packers hope the New York Giants forgot they were playing this week and that their highly potent offense is still a threat.

The thought of Aaron Rodgers putting up monster numbers has to leave defensive coordinators awake at night.

Could the Packers offense be the remaining juggernaut that runs through teams en route to another Super Bowl win? It's possible. But remember—New Orleans was a better team on paper because they could run the ball better and the passing weapons were a little deeper.

But the Saints also saw how good the 49ers were and the defense San Francisco uses is the real deal.

Green Bay plays a Giants team that limped into the playoffs after having to beat the Cowboys in the last game of the regular season and then blistered the Falcons in the first round of the NFC playoffs.

While Eli Manning does not get the respect he may deserve from the media and the fanbase (living in Peyton Manning's shadow will do that for you), he still goes about his business and guides his team.

Remember, the Giants played the Packers in a tough loss earlier this season.

But if you are looking for a reason to think this will be a close game, think again. Here is why the game will be a lost cause for the Giants.

They Know One Speed

I liken the Packers offense to the FSU "fast-break" offense of the early 1990s: The team knew one speed and one speed only.

And they never let off the gas.

The Kansas City loss was an anomaly that can be forgiven, but if the Packers score at will, the Giants defense will continually be on the field and wear them down.

Good teams like the Packers find an opening and break through to take what they want. It becomes a game of will.

The Receivers Are Pretty Good, Too!

All you have to look at is the guys catching the ball and know they love what they do.

Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver and even tight end Jermichael Finley are all on the same mission.

Throw in rookie Randall Cobb and they make a great combination. There are too many receivers to cover at once, and the Giants secondary may be worn down by the fourth quarter from running all over the field.

If the defense is on the field more than seven series, this game is over.

The Patriot Game?

The Patriots, like the Packers, were maligned over the season for their porous defense. Then when it was least expected, the Patriots performed like the best defensive team in the NFL against the Broncos.

Could a sleeping giant (no pun intended) be awoken this week?

It will be interesting to see if the Packers can play at a high intensity on both sides of the ball against a team that can run and pass with the best teams in the league.

Can the Packers stop Eli Manning? Can they stop the running attack of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw?

Do we finally see a stellar defensive unit step up?

Mike McCarthy May Be Better Than Tom Coughlin

Both have won Super Bowls in the past five years.

But McCarthy seems to be the better chess player.

When you have two solid teams, the first one to flinch usually loses the contest. McCarthy is so unsuspecting in his approach to the game—he might be the most unassuming coach in the NFL.

And all he does is win.

With Coughlin, you know what you are going to get. And when you do, you better know how to stop it.

The Packers already saw it once this year and they will be ready for it.

He IS Eli Manning

We keep waiting for Manning to become his brother, Peyton.

It has not happened yet. He is a top-10 quarterback, but he is nondescript and bland, although he gets the job done.

We keep waiting and waiting for him to unravel and it never happens. But the playoffs are odd in that they can either further one's legacy or destroy one's credibility.

We shall find out if Manning is "playoff strong" today.

He IS Aaron Rodgers

I keep referring to it, but "Brett Who?"

Rodgers had an amazing season we sometimes overlook with Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford and Drew Brees all appearing in the playoffs.

When a quarterback throws for 45 touchdowns and only six interceptions on the season, that says they are pretty darn good. And Rodgers could get even better. The playoffs allow quarterbacks to show how great they can be on the game's highest stage.

Rodgers has been up to the task all season and he doesn't look like he's slowing down any time soon.

They Are the Green Bay Packers

This season has been about teams of destiny.

The Packers got into the playoffs last season as the last seed in the NFC and just kept winning.

This season, everyone knew they were the favorites coming into the year and they still won their games by huge margins and by scoring large amounts of points.

No one could get out of their way—and the win by Kansas City this season to end their winning streak did more to help them than hurt them.

Destiny, maybe?

A team of great performers, yes. A team rich in tradition, certainly.

This team just finds a way like the great teams do.

It just so happens the Giants are the next victims.